Preview: Barnsley vs Crewe Alexandra - prediction, team news, lineups

With the second round of the EFL Cup set to begin midweek, Barnsley will welcome Crewe Alexandra to Oakwell on Tuesday.

The hosts only advanced into this stage of the competition thanks to successfully navigating penalties against Wigan Athletic earlier this month, whereas the visitors defeated Accrington Stanley 2-1 on August 8.

Match preview

Barnsley were heading for elimination against Wigan, who scored the game's opening goal just before half time, only to win 6-5 on penalties thanks to Cameron McGeehan's equaliser nine minutes from the final whistle.

Daniel Stendel's side have only made it past the second round in four of the last 16 editions of the EFL Cup, though a win on Tuesday would represent the third successive time they have reached the third round.

The Reds' clash with the visitors will follow on from their goalless stalemate with Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, and that result left them in 21st place with just one point in League One after two matchweeks.

Barnsley may have progressed from their clash with Wigan, but they have now failed to win in 90 minutes in eight of their nine most recent competitive fixtures, losing four times.

The hosts' record at Oakwell this season stands at one win and one loss, while they ended 2025-26 having lost three and drawn three of their final six homes games, and they have conceded exactly one goal in five of their last seven contests at the stadium.

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The visitors needed Luca Moore to score in the 85th minute against Accrington Stanley to secure victory, with that strike enough to see his side advance beyond the first round for the third time in 10 seasons.

Crewe's 1-0 win against Northampton Town in League Two on Saturday could be seen as controversial given Josh March hid behind goalkeeper Zachary Jeacock and waited for him to drop the ball before tapping home.

A victory for boss Lee Bell on Tuesday would end his club's three-game losing streak against Barnsley, while it would be just his team's second win in seven games against the hosts.

The Railwaymen have started the 2026-27 season in excellent fashion, emerging as winners in all three of their fixtures, and while they only netted four goals in that stretch, they managed to keep two clean sheets.

Crewe's only away contest this term was a 1-0 success against Crawley Town on August 15, whereas they had lost their final three matches on the road in 2025-26.

Barnsley EFL Cup form:

Barnsley form (all competitions):

Crewe Alexandra EFL Cup form:

Crewe Alexandra form (all competitions):

Team News

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Neither team are likely to field their strongest XI's on Tuesday, and it would not be surprising to see Barnsley's Kacper Lopata come into the backline.

Jonathan Bland may also be thrown into the starting lineup in place of Luca Connell, and he would almost certainly be joined by McGeehan.

The midfielders will have to support a frontline featuring wingers Reyes Cleary and Amani Richards, as well as centre-forward Makenzie Kirk.

Crewe may look to start central defenders Mickey Demetriou and Luke Offord, and the duo could be protected by a double pivot of Matus Holicek and Joe White.

In the forward line, expect to see striker Josh March flanked by wide attackers Calum Agius and Jordan Gibson.

Barnsley possible starting lineup:

Ravenhill; Kay, Gale, Lopata, Alker; McGeehan, Bland; Richards, Kelly, Cleary; Kirk

Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:

Booth; Billington, Offord, Demetriou, Hutchinson; Holicek, White; Agius, Lankester, Gibson; March

We say: Barnsley 1-2 Crewe Alexandra

While Barnsley may be favoured by some due to their status as a League One side, their performances have been disappointing for some time.

Crewe Alexandra's displays this term have been strong, and their defensive resilience could help them advance into the EFL Cup's third round.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.